Ricardo Nieves, Prisoner Of War For 3 Years In Japan

OBITUARIES

Ricardo Nieves, who endured three years as a POW in Japan during World War II, died Friday in Orlando. He was 81.

A merchant seaman, Nieves was a civilian prisoner of war.

It was only a few years ago that Nieves, like other civilian POWs, received recognition from the federal government for his hardship, relatives said.

Born in Puerto Rico, he worked as a merchant seaman and was sailing the Pacific Ocean when his ship was sunk by the Japanese.

He survived and was sent to a Japanese camp, but officials presumed he was dead.

''The insurance was paid, but everyone still had hope that he was alive,'' said half-brother Diego Nieves of Hollywood. ''And they were right. I can still remember when he came to see my dad, who was so happy to see him.''

Nieves brought back horror stories of the Japanese camp, where he toiled long hours and only ate a little water and rice.

''When he told us the stories, my eyes really watered because of all that suffering,'' Diego Nieves said.

After retiring from his sailing days, he moved to Orlando from Sarasota in 1989. He was a member of a local Masonic Lodge.

He also is survived by stepson Ralph F. Fuentes of Jensen Beach; half-brother Carlos of Orlando; sisters Anna Gomez and Esther Reyes, both of Sarasota; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Baldwin-Fairchild Goldenrod-Winter Park Chapel in Winter Park is in charge of arrangements.